Domaine Neferis, Sidi Salem (Tunisia) Carignan 2015

  If I had tasted this blind, I’d have guessed its price at $35, which would have been a bit embarrassing, but still a pleasant surprise.  If I’d also have been compelled to guess its country of origin, Tunisia would have been about my 35th guess…which would have been just plain embarrassing.  Appropriately chastened, I’ll be working harder to check out Tunisian wines, and should be aided in that effort by the proximity of Travis Wine Imports to my home near Washington, DC.  While I’m working on that, try to get your hands on a bottle of this terrific wine (MacArthur Beverages in DC has some).  Quite dark in color, with expressive aromas and deep, punchy flavors, it is undeniably impressive for sheer palate impact, with very persistent flavors recalling blackberries and black currents.  Yet there’s nothing over-ripe, over-extracted, or over-oaked about this, and indeed the acidity is remarkably fresh and the tannins are quite fine in grain and very nicely integrated with the fruit.  In sum, this is completely convincing, and an amazing bargain.